Kyoto Yawata Eco-marathon in May 2026

Have you always dreamed of running in the land of the rising sun? 🌅 In May, pack your bags 🧳, we invite you to Japan 🇯🇵, in the prefecture of Kyoto, in the district of Yawata for the Kyoto Yawata Ecomarathon 🏃‍♀️.

If you are the solo type 🧍‍♂️, come run the half marathon or the timed 10 km, if you are more into family running 🧑‍🧑‍🧒‍🧒, a parent-child race of 5 km is organized. The race start will be at 11 AM sharp 🕚, in the heart of Kyoto, along the Ara river 🌊. You will follow its path via the bike path 🚴‍♂️. The course is flat, easy, and fast ⚡️, making it open to both novice and experienced runners looking to break their personal record 💪. With a participant limit of 200 people, you won't have to elbow your way at the start 😝.

With several other sports events organized, particularly in the prefectures of Saitama, Osaka, Hiroshima, Kyoto and Kumamoto (but mainly in Tokyo🌸), the Ecomarathon positions itself as an organization environmentally conscious 🌳 and committed to various causes 🎗️. This year, it is possible to donate to the international refugee support association: Second Harvest Japan. The first food bank in Japan, the organization is committed to ensuring that everyone has access to food 🍲.

The city of Yawata has a complex history but has managed to preserve its heritage and possesses significant Shinto shrines 🧧. It is a very tourist-friendly destination that combines traditional and modern culture 🎐. If you choose to extend your stay, you must make a mandatory detour to one of the best-preserved shrines in the region: Iwashimizu Hachimangu ⛩️. Want to gain some elevation? ⬆️ Then take your ticket and hop on the Iwashimizu Hachimangu Sando Cable! 🚃 This funicular will lift you above the city of Kyoto for a unique panorama, without tiring your already weary legs 😅.

The Kyoto Yawata Ecomarathon is the perfect race to discover Japan in your own way: with a pair of sneakers on your feet! 🤪